Eto’o has responded.
Samuel Eto’o has apologised after a video online appeared to show the former footballer attacking a fan outside a stadium in Qatar.
The incident occurred after Brazil’s 4-1 win against South Korea on Monday night as footage showed the former Barcelona man attacking the fan who was following him around.
[VIDEO] Samuel Eto’o golpea peligrosamente a una persona al final del partido entre Brasil y Corea https://t.co/smWcShJBYE pic.twitter.com/aXacvIHIdM
— La Opinión (@LaOpinionLA) December 6, 2022
Eto’o has since broken his silence on social media and released a statement on Tuesday in response. In the apology letter, the Cameroon legend said that he had been provoked by a number of Algerian supporters.
It read: “On last 5 December, after the Brazil-South Korea match, I had a violent altercation with a person who was probably an Algerian supporter.
“I would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality. I apologise to the public for this unfortunate incident.
“I pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters. Indeed, since the Cameroon-Algerla match on 29 March in Blida, I have been the target of insults and allegations of cheating without any evidence.
Samuel Eto’o apologises after his altercation with an Algerian supporter yesterday. Says he has been subject to “relentless provocation and harassment” by some Algeria fans after Cameroon’s victory in the World Cup playoff earlier this year https://t.co/HToPYyN4yF
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) December 6, 2022
“During this World Cup. Cameroonian fans have been harassed and pestered by Algerians on the same subject. I would like to mention that the scenario of Algeria’s defeat was cruel but perfectly in line with the rules and ethics of our sport.
“All the appeals made by the Algerian Football Federation to the competent Jurisdictions have been rejected. I therefore call on the Algerian authorities and Federation to take their responsibilities to put an end to this unhealthy climate before a more serious tragedy occurs.
“To Fennecs’ fans, I wish that they find peace and manage to overcome the disappointment of a painful defeat, now behind us.”
Eto’o is in Qatar working in his role as a global legacy ambassador for FIFA.
Related links:
- Kylian Mbappé missing from France’s latest training session
- World Cup 2022 Day 17: All the major action and talking points
- Samuel Eto’o appears to attack fan outside World Cup stadium
